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Changan Automobile

Automotive / Electric VehiclesFounded 1862
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026

Leadership History

Changan Automobile: CEO History

2 leaders · 2017 to present

Who is the CEO of Changan Automobile?

Zhu Huarong is the CEO of Changan Automobile, in the role since 2020.

Current CEO
Zhu Huarong (since 2020)
Leaders documented
2
Founded
1862
NameRoleFromToYears in role
Zhu HuarongChairman of the Board (CEO)2020Present6
Zhang BaolinFormer Chairman201720203

Company Overview

Changan Automobile is one of China's oldest and largest carmakers, and its headquarters are in Chongqing. For decades, much of its profit came from joint ventures that built Suzuki, Ford, Mazda and PSA cars for China. Since around 2010, it has shifted toward its own brands, starting with CS-series SUVs and then the Deepal and Avatr EV brands. In July 2025, China moved its parent into a new standalone central SOE, China Changan Automobile Group. That made Changan one of the few automakers reporting directly to SASAC. In 2025 it sold 2.913 million vehicles, and NEVs made up about 38% of that. The massive Chinese state-owned automaker is headquartered in Chongqing, China, tracing its incredibly deep historical roots to a military arsenal founded during the Qing Dynasty in 1862 before becoming a modern electric vehicle powerhouse.

Zhu Huarong

Chairman of the Board (CEO)

2020 – Present

6 years (current)

Key Decisions & Impact

A veteran automotive engineer who joined Changan in 1986, Zhu served as President from 2014 before ascending to Chairman in June 2020. He authored Changan's landmark 'Third Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program,' launching the 'Shangri-La Plan' for new energy vehicle electrification and the 'Dubhe Plan' for intelligent autonomous driving. He spearheaded the creation of the Deepal and Avatr brands, mandated the establishment of Changan's global R&D network across six countries, and initiated the 'Vast Ocean Plan' for international expansion across Southeast Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

Legacy

Led Changan from 2.30 million vehicle sales and ~$14.6B (CN¥105.1B) revenue in 2021 to 2.913 million sales and ~$22.8B (CN¥164.0B) revenue in 2025, with NEVs rising to about 38% of volume. Re-elected chairman for a third term on September 17, 2026, and also chairs the parent central SOE China Changan Automobile Group, formed in July 2025.

Source →

Zhang Baolin

Former Chairman

2017 – 2020

3 years

Key Decisions & Impact

Zhang fiercely executed the 'Third Pioneering' strategy, aggressively pivoting the massive state-owned automaker away from internal combustion engines toward intelligent, fully electric vehicles.

Legacy

As Chairman, he orchestrated the highly strategic joint ventures with tech giants Huawei and CATL to launch the premium Avatr EV brand, attempting to shed Changan's reputation as a cheap mass-market builder.

Source →

Challenges & Strategic Context

Changan's biggest problem is margin. China's auto price war pushed its average revenue per vehicle down by about CN¥3,300 in 2025. Net profit attributable to shareholders fell 44% to ~$567 million (CN¥4.08 billion) that year, then fell another 64% to ~$114 million (CN¥817 million) in H1 2026, when revenue also dropped 9.7%. Operating cash flow was only ~$256 million (CN¥1.84 billion) in 2025. Its NEV brands Deepal and Avatr are still scaling against BYD, Geely, Leapmotor and Huawei-backed HIMA brands. Avatr's Hong Kong IPO prospectus lapsed once before it was refiled in June 2026. Abroad, EU countervailing duties on Chinese-built EVs and tariff risk in other markets are pushing Changan to build cars locally, as in Thailand, and that takes capital.

Changan Automobile CEO and Leadership FAQ

Who is the Chairman of Changan Automobile and how long has he served?

Zhu Huarong became Chairman of Changan Automobile in June 2020. Shareholders re-elected him on September 17, 2026, which began his third consecutive term. He has spent his career at Changan and was President from 2014 before becoming Chairman.

What other role does Zhu Huarong hold?

China Changan Automobile Group was set up as a standalone central SOE in July 2025, and Zhu Huarong became its Party Secretary and Chairman. He therefore leads both the listed company and its controlling shareholder.

Who was Xu Liuping and what was his legacy as former Chairman of Changan?

Xu Liuping led Changan for about a decade before moving to FAW Group as Chairman in 2017. During his time, Changan's own-brand business grew around the CS-series SUVs, and it built its overseas R&D network.

What is the 'Third Venture' transformation launched by Zhu Huarong?

In 2018, Zhu Huarong launched the 'Third Venture' strategic transformation, pivoting Changan from a traditional internal combustion vehicle assembler into an intelligent, low-carbon mobility technology company focused on EVs, software, and autonomous driving.

How did Zhu Huarong orchestrate the landmark partnership with Huawei and CATL?

Under Zhu's leadership, Changan rebuilt its former Changan-NIO joint venture as Avatr in 2021. CATL became a major shareholder and Huawei became the technology partner, an arrangement marketed as the 'CHN' platform (Changan, Huawei, CATL).

How has Changan performed under Zhu Huarong?

In 2021, Zhu's first full year as Chairman, Changan had revenue of ~$14.6 billion (CN¥105.1 billion) and sold 2.30 million vehicles. In 2025 it had ~$22.8 billion (CN¥164.0 billion) in revenue and sold 2.913 million vehicles. The NEV share of sales rose from about 5% to 38%. Profit has been weaker: 2025 net profit attributable to shareholders fell 44% to ~$567 million (CN¥4.08 billion).

What leadership philosophy guides Zhu Huarong's management of Changan?

Zhu has paired open partnerships, such as Huawei and CATL for Avatr, with a push for in-house core technology like the SDA architecture, Blue Core hybrids and SDA Pilot. He has also prioritized globalization through the Vast Ocean Plan.

Who runs Changan Automobile?

Zhu Huarong serves as the Chairman, heavily credited with dragging the legacy, state-owned industrial giant into the modern era by aggressively focusing on sleek design and highly intelligent electric vehicle software.

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Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.